Group ranks Iowa and Illinois low for 2014 job growth

Group ranks Iowa and Illinois low for 2014 job growth

A research group ranks Iowa 35th and Illinois nearly last in its estimates of which states will have the most and least job growth in 2014.

A report from the Pew Charitable Trusts says Iowa will add an estimated 21,243 jobs in 2014, translating to a job growth of 1.39%. That ranks Iowa number 35 out of the 50 states for forecast job growth.

For Illinois, the expectation was even lower.

Pew ranks Illinois number 50 out of the 50 states, estimating the job growth rate in 2014 will be 0.98%. That translates to an estimated 56,996 jobs expected to be added. Illinois’ forecast for 2014 job growth only ranked better than Washington D.C. where growth was expected to be 0.75%.

By comparison, North Dakota was at the top of the list for anticipated job growth. The group thinks North Dakota’s job growth rate will be 3.57%, adding 15,902 jobs in that state.

Pew estimates the U.S. economy will generate 2.6 million jobs in 2014, up from 2.2 million in 2013. Their report says the employment outlook is best in the western and southern states. The report says the fastest-growing jobs nationwide are in health care and construction.